Director Hwang Dong Hyuk commented on T.O.P’s role as a retired rapper addicted to drugs in ‘Squid Game 2.’

On January 15, 'Squid Game 2' director Hwang Dong Hyuk appeared on the YouTube channel 'Lee Dong Jin's Piarchia' to discuss the popular series. When asked about "the most unique character" in the show, director Hwang remarked, "It was the most challenging, but also the most refreshing—Thanos."

T.O.P (real name Choi Seung Hyun) plays the character "Thanos," a former rapper who once enjoyed popularity. However, after following a cryptocurrency recommendation from YouTuber Lee Myung Gi (played by Im Si Wan), he loses everything. Drowning in debt from failed crypto investments, he joins the deadly game and secretly smuggles synthetic drugs hidden in a necklace, which he consumes during the competition. Despite the character’s deep backstory, the exaggerated portrayal and T.O.P's performance have sparked controversy in Korea, placing him at the center of heated discussions.

Director Hwang addressed these reactions with a laugh, saying, "I don’t think it’s method acting." He continued, "I did a lot of thinking about this character. It wasn’t originally created with Seung Hyun in mind. When I first envisioned the character, I thought of the rappers I’d seen on 'Show Me the Money'—the over-the-top ones with swagger, ridiculous energy levels, mixing Korean and English like they’re rapping all the time. I wondered what it would be like if that type of character was also high on drugs—someone who’s perpetually detached from reality."

Hwang Dong Hyuk went on to explain how T.O.P was eventually cast. He shared, "After several processes, we ended up working with Seung Hyun. During the first few scenes, he was very nervous since it had been so long since he stood in front of the public and the camera. The character itself is so detached that both of us kept questioning, ‘Is this the right approach?’ Seung Hyun leaned on me a lot, and I had to make the calls and give directions."

The director also revealed that there was initial concern from those around him. He explained, "After filming one or two scenes, some people asked, ‘Director, isn’t this a bit too much?’ But at that point, I thought, we need to go all-in. If we make the character more realistic now, it could end up being neither impactful nor believable. So, I decided to lean in even more."

Director Hwang added that much of the eccentricity was improvised. He elaborated, "I asked him to do things spontaneously, like kissing a button. Seung Hyun really immersed himself and brought a lot to the table, which led to the creation of this over-the-top 'final boss' version of Thanos."

Regarding his collaboration with T.O.P, Hwang remarked, "It felt like an adventure, but I also had fun and grew more confident. I felt that this type of character was exactly what the show needed." He acknowledged the polarizing reception, saying, "As expected, the reactions were extreme, but that’s understandable."

The director also defended the creative choice, explaining, "Just like in season 1, this show has a comic-book-like quality. It’s obviously a fictional story. I believe it’s natural for exaggerated characters to exist within that context. If everyone was trembling in fear all the time, the story wouldn’t progress. In season 1, we had characters like Han Mi Nyeo and Jang Deok Su, who were also criticized for being over-the-top."

He concluded by addressing the unique reactions to T.O.P’s portrayal in Korea, saying, "Thanos is an even more extreme character. Given Seung Hyun’s personal history, I think that’s why the reaction in Korea is even more polarized."

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